Chain link interspersing machine



March 13, 1951 c. E. VANDENBERG 2,544,942

l CHAIN LINK INTERSPERSING MACHINE Filed July 25, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet l BY E (ZD-QH@ March 13, 1951 c. E. vANDl-:NBERG 2,544,942

CHAIN LINK INTERSPERSING MACHINE Filed July 25, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. fare/262 afzdefze@ NFO-W March E3, 1951 c. E. VANDENBERG 2544,942

y CHAIN LINK INTERSPERSING MACHINE Filed July 25, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 I N VEN TOR. fare/26 Wnde/May March 13, 1951 c. E. VANDENBERG CHAIN LINK INTERSPERSING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed July 25, 1949 O OOOOQ/ cooooooooo\.

a 4 INVENTOR. fence yzde/e'g/ Patented Mar. 13, 195i CHAIN LINK INTERSPERSING MACHINE Clarence E. Vandenbcrg, Blue Island, Ill., as-

signor to International Harvester Company, a y corporation of New Jersey Application July 25, 1949, Serial No. 106,532

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a new and improved chain link interspersing machine.

Chain making machines are known in the art. It is common procedure to insert a continuous strip of 'steel stock to one side of a chain making machine and have completed linked chain emerge from the other side of the machine. The links of chain formed by these continuously running chain making machines are as a rule of a xed standard size and shape. On many occasions it is necessary to employ special links in a chain of this type, creating a problern to obtain chain with desired special link. At the present time, it is common practice to manually break apart completed chain and insert special links in the whole chain as desired. This practice lacks economy.

It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide means in an automatically operable chain making machine for inserting special links into the chain just prior to completion thereof without hindering the continuous formation and assembly of the regular links constituting the major portion of the completed chain.

An important object of this invention is the provision of means for temporarily halting the chain making operation, thereupon causing the insertion of a special link to be formed with the yentire chain and immediatelythereafter instituting resumption of the regular chain making machine operation.

Another important object of this invention is to provide electrical means for controlling the operation of a chain making machine and in cooperation therewith providing adjustable means for electing the insertion of a special link into position in alignment with the chain being formed and actually assembling the special link simultaneously with the assembling of the chain as a whole.

A further important object of this invention is to supply an injecting machine for special chain link in synchronism with the fabrication of regular chain.

Another and further important object of this invention is the provision of means in an interval timing device for adjustably controlling the number of regular chain links between the incorporation of special links.

Another and still further important object of this invention is to provide a vertically movable toothed rack operable upon each stroke of the chain making machine `to advance the rack one tooth, and control means to effect a stopping of the feed of the chain stock after a predetermined number of links of chain have been formed, thereupon causing an insertion of a special link and a resumption of normal operation of the chain making machine.

Other and further important objects of this invention will become apparent from the disclosures in the following specication and accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational View of a chain making machine.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the chain making machine of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the device of Fig. 2 and showing the special link inserting mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a front elevational View of the device of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a top plan View of chain shown partially fabricated with the special link incorporated therein.

Fig. 7 shows an enlarged perspective view of a special chain link such as used in the operation of this device.

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the electricalmechanical control apparatus for eifecting the insertion of special chain link.

As shown in the drawings:

The reference numeral I0 indicates generally a supporting structure or framework for a punch press or the like. The press includes floor engaging leg members II and upwardly extending frame parts I2 and I3 for carrying a cross shaft I4. The shaft I4 is rotatably driven by means of a large gear I5 having rotation imparted thereto from a relatively small spur gear IS. The shaft I4 is equipped with a crank I'I adapted to receive a crank arm or pitman I8. The lower end of the pitman I8 is provided with a ball end I9 which engages a similarly shaped ball socket 20 in a press plunger 2| as best shown in Fig. 2. The press plunger 2| is adapted to receive and hold a multiple stage chain forming die 22.

A source of metal strip stock such as steel is shown at 23 and is carried on a reel 24 mounted on a supporting standard 25. The narrow strip of material 23 having a width corresponding to the width of the chain being fabricated is fed upwardly into the punch press through a feeding mechanism designated by the numeral 25. The feeding mechanism is similar to that shown in the long expired patent to Parker 1,556,538.

A pivoted knife edge 21 attached to a slider mechanism 28 is oscillated, and in combination with a pawl 29 and ratchet wheel 3U having a stop pin 3| for cooperation with a lug 35 on the pivoted knife edge 21 causes intermittent feeding of the strip of stock. A crank 33 is mounted on the press shaft I4 and a link member 34 extends downwardly to 'attachment with a bellcrank 35 to effect reciprocal movement of the slider 2B. Thus press operation permits regular increment feeding of chain making stock. When, however, the pin 3| is in alignment with the' lug 32 the knife edge 21 is locked against the chain stock to prevent feeding at that moment. It is during this halt in feeding of stock that the special chain link is inserted into the press and formed integrally with the regular chain.

The chain being formed and fabricated is shown in detail in Fig. 6. The multiple stage'die mounted in the punch press is adapted first to make'i'spaced longitudinally extending score marks 48. The second step in thelformation of the chain is to punch'a tongue member 49 delined by the spaced score marks 48 Vdownwardly a slight distance. The third step is to cause the tongue 49 to be swung upwardly and the strip of stock to be severed completely as shown at 50. The next step in the chainformation is the downward folding of the tongue'49jabout rearwardly disposed cross arm of the link immediatey forwardly thereof and thus closing or fastening the links together making a continuous chain of formed links as they emerge from'the left-hand side of the machine disposed opposite the feed side as shown at 52. Fig. 6 shows a special link 53`with a laterally extending flange member 54 to which flight members or the like may be at tached through an aperture 55. The chain Inaking machine does not fabricate these special links but rather they are made seperately insertedinto this regular link chain making machine just prior to, or at the time of final assembly or clamping of the tongue member 49 about the ad-` jacent cross end member of the next link in line; The construction ofthe special link is identical to that of the regular links such as shownat 52 .in

Fig. 7 wherein the special link 53A is shown in greater detail. The special link is providedy with the same upwardly struck tongue 49. When inserted into the press ina position adjoining the completed but not joined standard or regular links it is thereupon moved along with the entire chain, and when the last operation of the multiple stage die closes the tongue 49 about the adjoining link the special link is thus made integral with the entire chain.

The preformed special links are disposed in an inclined magazine 56 and the operator of the machine is required to insert links at the upper or feed end at 51. The links fed into the top end are adapted to push the previously inserted links downwardly toward'the discharge end 58 of the magazine 56. A leaf spring 59 is mounted on the magazine 56 at 90 by means of bolts or the like. A spring engaging portion 6| of the spring 59 is adapted to lie on top of the lowermost special link 53 within the magazine 56 and thus restrains the link from being accidentally discharged.

f A link injecting carriage in the form of a slide 62 is disposed in a horizontal plane and is mounted for fore and aft sliding movement on a sup-` structure ID of the punch press.

adjoining links in the fabrication of a steel chain by means of an extension coil spring 64. A guide bracket 65 is carried on the forward face of the punch press frame ID. A rod 66 is adapted to have vertical sliding movement through a vertically disposed hole 61 in the forward end of the guide bracket 65. The upper end of the rod 66 is provided with adjusting nuts 68. The spring 64 is spiralled about the rod 66 between a washer 69 directly beneath the adjusting nuts 68 and the top surface of the bracket 65. The lower end of the rod 66 is fastened to a block member 1|] and it should be understood that the spring 94 normally urges the rod 66 and thus the block 19 upwardly. Block 10 carries one end of a laterally extending arm 1| of a bell-crank member 12. A pin 13-joins the block 10 to the arm 1| through a slightly elongated aperture 14 in the arm 1|. The bell-crank 12 is pivotally mounted by means of a shaft or pin or the like 15 to a forwardly extending bracket or supporting structure 16 integrally fastened to the supporting structure |0 of the punch press.` A second arm 11 of the bellcrank 12 is disposed substantially vertically and extends downwardly. The lower end of the arm 11 has an elongated slot 11a to provide a pivotal attachment with a pin 18 in a block member 19. The block 19 forms partof a superstructure 80 mounted on and integrally attached to the side member 62 which is adapted to push a special link forwardly into the press.

A limit adjusting screw 8| threadedly engages an upwardly extending flange 82 of the track member 63 and by means of a lock nut 83 varies thelateral position of the end 84 of the screw 8|. The outer end of the slide member 62 is adapted to abut the end 84 of the screw and thus the outward limit of the slide 62 is controlled. A second screw 85 is threadedly carried in a bracket 86'e`xtendlingupwardly from the track member 63 and similarly a lock nut 81 is provided for changing the lateral adjustment of the screw. The end abutting'portion 88 limits the inward movement of the slide 62. A locking pin 86 is adapted to pass through aligned apertures in the track member 63 and the slide 62 and thus prevents relative or sliding movement of the slide with respect to the track member. The` locking pin 89 is vertically reciprocable by means of a solenoid 99 mounted on the framework Ill. The solenoid 90 has an upwardly extending armature 9| which is adapted upon energizing of the solenoid coil 90 to be drawn downwardly within the solenoid. An upward extension 92 of the member 9| is at tached to the member by means of a cross pin 93. 'The extension 92 is guided for vertical movement in a shelf-like bracket 94forming a part of the punch press supportingstructure I9. The extension 92 constitutes the abutting or bottom por* tion of the lock member 89. 4A coil spring 95 of the extension type is positioned around the extension 92 and between the shelf-like bracket 94 and the under side of a collar 96 xedly attached to the extension rod 92, The spring l thus normally urges the locking pin in an upward or locking position to holdpthe slide G2 against move.

ment. When the electrical solenoid 99 is energized* the member 9| and thusv the extension 92.

The magazineorslide 56 is shown in detail inV Fig.V 5; The special links A53 `are provided with' spaced tracks or grooves 91vand 98 within which the forward and rearward ends of the chain are adapted to slide. An overhanging bracket member 99 is adapted to confine the link within the tracks 91 and 38 and prevents vertical removal of the links except at the mouth or feed opening 51 and at the discharge end 58. Use of the forwardly and upwardly inclined magazine permits the operator to place one of the special links 53 in position just forwardly of the pushing end of the slide 62. After a special link has been inserted into the fabricated chain the operator inserts another special link into the magazine 56 at 51, thereupon forcing the lowermost link to be discharged at the end 53 of the magazine. This discharged links falls forwardly and downwardly in front of the slide 62 and the other links in the magazine move downwardly and forwardly and are restrained from discharge by reason of the pad 6| of the holding spring 59 engaging the tcp surface of the lowermost link.

The electrical and mechanical control means for the mechanism of this invention is shown in Fig. 8. The solenoid 90 is shown in this diagram. A source of electromotive force is delivered to a control box lili by a first pair of lead wires |31 and |52 and a second pair of lead wires |55 and |66 through an opening |92 provided in the top thereof. The control box contains a number of elements including an electrical solenoid |03, a control rack |04, and a plurality of electrical switches |05, |05, |01 and |08. Suitable electric fuses |09 are inserted within the electrical circuits to provide a necessary safety factor.

As best shown in Fig. 2 a projection or stub shaft l0 is affixed to the vertically movable press This projection moves simultaneously with the movement of the head 2|, and by means of a connecting link the projection joins a lever arm l2 extending laterally to one side from the control box |0|. The lever arm ||2 is pivotally attached by means of a screw or the like ||3 to the control box |0|. A pawl |4 is pivoted at ||5 on the arm ||2, and by means of a spring I6 extending from a post |1 on the pawl I4 to a post I8 on the arm` ||2, the pawl is normally urged about its hinge |5 is a generally clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 8. A stop ||4pd is provided on the control box |0| to limit movement of the pawl I4 by the spring I5. The control rack |04 is provided on its one side thereof with a plurality of ratchet teeth |9 for engagement by the pawl |i4. It will thus be seen that upon each punching operation of the punch press the lever arm 2 will be moved about its hinge |3 causing the pawl ||4 to engage the ratchet teeth ||9 of the control rack |04 causing a downward movement of the rack |04. The rack |04 is provided with an elongated slot |20 extending vertically in substantially the center thereof. Spaced holding screws |2| and |22 pass through the slot |20 and engage the housing of the control box |0|. The spaced screws |2| and |22 maintain the rack |04 in vertical position and permit vertical shifting movement of the rack by a sliding of the rack beneath the enlarged heads thereof. A spring |23 anchored by screw means |24 to the control box |0| extends downwardly to attachment at |25 on the upper end of the control rack |04. The spring |23 normally urges the rack |04 to its uppermost position. Downward movement of the rack |04 by reason of the pawl ||4 engaging the ratchet teeth 9 is accomplished against the action of the spring |23, and the rack is maintained in its new lowered position by a holding or back locking pawl 6 |26. This last-named pawl |26 is pivoted at |21 on the control box housing or plate 10| and is provided with an upward extension which is pivotally attached at |28 on a reduced diameter extension |29 of a solenoid armature |30 forming a part of the electrical solenoid |03. The solenoid |03 thus constitutes a recycling solenoid for the apparatus.

The solenoid armature |30 is provided with a vertically disposed head portion |3| engageable by a spring |32 which is coiled about a screw post |33 and is prevented free rotation about the post |33 by engagement with a screwKmember |34. The screw members |33 and |34 are both mounted on the control box housing |0l. The spring |32 is arranged and constructed to normally urge the armature |30 outwardly and thus cause the pawl |26 to remain in engagement with the ratchet teeth ||9 on the control rack |04 preventing back up of the rack following downward movement thereof by the pawl H4. As stated in the objects above, the rack |04 controls the spacing of the special links in the chain being fabricated. The amount of throw of the lever arm ||2 and thus the amount of downward movement of the rack |04 by the pawl H4 can be varied by positioning the pawl i i4 at various spaced positions along the arm H2. The device is shown so that upon each movement of the press plunger 2| the rack |04 will be moved downwardly a distance equal to one notch or tooth on the ratchet face I I9.

Continued movement of the rack |04 downwardly by the procedure just described and the maintenance of the rack in its newly lowered position by the pawl |26 will continue until the lower edge |35 strikes contact member |36 adapted to control the electrical switch |05 by causing an inward movement of a push button |05a on the inner face thereof. It is obvious from the construction of this mechanism that the rack |04 will cause a spreading of the contact arm |36 and thus complete the electrical circuit through the switch |05. One of the E. M. F. lead wires designated by the numeral |31 passes through the fuse box |09 to connection at |33 with a circuit wire |39 joining the electrical switch |05 at |40. The other side of the switch |05 designated by the numeral |4i receives a wire |42 which travels through the fuse box |09 outwardly through the wire |43 and thereupon joins the solenoid at 244. The other connecting post |45 of the solenoid 99 re ceives an electrical wire |49 which returns through the fuse box |99 andjoins a circuit wire |50 which is diverted at |5| for reroutng through the fuse box |09 and thereupon out to a second lead wire |52 of the source of E. M. F. It will thus be seen that the electrical circuit between the switch |05 and the solenoid 90 is completed to the source of E. M. F. The solenoid .05 thus energized upon the closing of the electrical switch |05. Thus as thevcontrol rack |04 strikes the contact arm |36 the solenoid 90 is energized causing a retracting of the locking pin '80 and permitting the spring 64 to push or shove a special link 53 into position in the chain being fabricated. The completed fabricated chain thus contains special links at regularl7 spaced intervals.

The control rack |04 after effecting operation of the contact arm |36 engages a contact arm |53, closing the electrical switch |06 by compression of a push button |54. A third lead wire |55 at the source of E. M. F. delivers electrical energy through a wire |56 to a juncture |51 with `that the micro-switches an electrical wire |58. The wire |58 continues the circuit to a juncture |59`with a wire |80 and thereafter carries the electricity to a connection |6| on the switch |06. A connector |62 on the switch |06 isrjoined` by a wire |63 which passes upwardlyv to a juncture |64 with a wire |65 which feeds out to a fourth lead wire |66 at the entrance of electrical energy designated by the numeral |00. The circuit to the switch |06 is thus completed to the power source. A wire |61 extends from the juncture |50 to one of the connector points |68 on the solenoid |03. The other side of the solenoid coil designated by connector point |69 is joined to an electrical carrying wire |10 to the junction |5| adjacent the fuse box |09 and thereupon passes through the fuse box outwardly through a wire |1| to the E. M. F. line |52. It is apparent that as the switch |66 is closed permitting passage of electrical current the solenoid |03 is energized causing the armature |30 to be moved forwardly and the pawl |26 to be swung out of engagement with the toothed rack ||9 permitting the spring |23 to pull the entire control rack 04 upwardly until it strikes the stop |12 mounted on the control box housing A projection |13 extending laterally from the control rack |04 adjacent the top thereof engages and swingably moves a contact arm |14 which causes depression of the push button |15 of the switch |01. It should be understood that all of the switches |06, |01 and |08 may be of the micro-switch type to insure accurate operation of this device. Switch connector points |16 and |11 are carried directly by electrical wires to the E. M. F. source of supply. A wire |18 is attached to the connector |16 and runs into the wire |65 which joins the source of E. M. F. at |65. A wire |19 joins the connector |11 and runs to the junction |38 whereupon it is delivered to and through the fuse box |09 and continues through a wire |80 to the E. M. F. lead |31. Thus as the micro-switch |81 is opened upon depression of the push button |15 the solenoid |03 is deenergized permitting the armature |80 to be retracted by the coil spring |32 and thus also permitting engagement of the ratchet teeth H0 by the pawl |26.

The micro-switch |08 is closed by the cross head |3| of the solenoid armature |30 by the engagement of a contact arm |18, which as shown in Fig. 8 is in holding engagement with a push button |19 of this micro-switch. 'Ihe switch |08 is provided with connecting points E80 and ISI. The connecting point |80 is joined by a wire |82 which in turn joins the wire |65 completing the circuit to the E. M. F. source |66. The connecting point |0| is joined by a wire |83 which passes outwardly to connection with the electrical conductor |56 which feeds out to the E. M. F. lead |55.

An irregularly shaped plate |84 carries the micro-switches and |06 and depends from a supporting bracket |85 held in the control Vbox housing |0| by bolt members |86 and |81. A plurality of holes |08 is provided in the bracket plate member |85, and a screw |88 projecting outwardly from the irregularly shaped plate |84 is adapted to pass through any desired one of the apertures |88. A wing nut |80 engages the .Screw |89 and may be drawn up to lock the plate It will thus be seen |05 and |06 can be raised or lowered as desired and thus control the spacing of the special links |53 in Vthe finished |84 with the bracket |85.

8 fabricated chain. If, for example, the switches |05 and |06 are moved downwardly the control rack' |04 will necessarily move further downwardly before actuating the switches and thus greater intervals of spacing will be provided in the chain between the special links |53.

Operation of thi;l device The punch press is started and the strip of metal stock is automatically fed in short increments into the position beneath the multiple stage die whereupon the chain is formed in the manner indicated in Fig. 6. When the control mechanism located at the rear of the machine, andv shown in detail in Fig. 8, acts to energize the controlling electrical solenoid 90, the feed of the,l material is temporarily halted. The operator has previously inserted one of the special links in the top of the magazine 56 to cause a discharge of the lowermost link in the magazine down into position in front of the slide 62. The forward movement of the slide positions this link into the space beneath the multiple stage die which was left vacant by the fact that feed of new material was temporarily halted. It addition to the actuation of the solenoid his same electrical circuit is arranged and constructed to energize a warning light or signal which indicates to the operator that the intersperser is to operate on the next stroke of the press and that it is time to insert a new special link into the receiving magazine 56. The warning light is designated as numeral |46 and is attached in parallel to the circu.t containing the solenoid 80 by lead wires |41 and |48 to the circuit wires |43 and |48.

The control rack |04 moves downwardly one notch or tooth ||9 for each stroke of the press. After the selected number of strokes, determined by the vertical position of the plate |04 which carries the micro-switches |05 and |06, the rack strikes the contact arm of the switch |05 to eiect a completion of the electrical circuit to the solenoids 4| and 90. The control rack |04 thereafter engages the contact arm |53 of the micro-switch |06 which completes the electrical circuit to the solenoid |03 which causes recycling of the apparatus by energizing that solenoid and causing a forward movement of the armature |30 and a simultaneous disengagement of the pawl |26 from the ratchet teeth ||9 permitting the rack |04 to move bodily to its uppermost position as shown in Fig. 8. The stop |12 limits upward movement of the rack by the spring |23. The projection |13 on the control rack actuates the micro-switch |01 by depressing the contact arm |14. The microswitch |01 is arranged and constructed to disconnect electrical energy from the solenoid |03, and thus the pawl |28 is p-rmitted to be pulled back into engagement with the ratchet teeth i i9 by the spring |32 andthe cycle of operation may thus'be repeated. The micro-switch |00 is in thesame circuit with the micro-switch |06, and in order to complete the energizing of the solenoid |03 it is necessary that the armature |30 be in its retracted position so that the cross head |3| will depress the contact arm |18 of the micro-switch |08 in the manner shown in Fig. 8.

It is believed that herein is provided a unique apparatus for the fabrication of steel chain having incorporated therein specially-shaped links at regular intervals throughout the length thereof, and it is apparent that numerous details of construction may be varied throughout a wide range without departing from the principles disclosed herein, and I therefore do not propose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a chain making apparatus having a punch press with a reciprocating head, a multiple stage chain making die for said press, a stock feeding device operable in response to operation of said punch press, means for intermittently rendering said feeding device ineffective to feed stock, means onsaid apparatus for inserting a special chain link into the formation of the chain at a time concurrently with the halting of feeding of the stock, said means for inserting a special chain link including an electrical solenoid, means for intermittently energizing said solenoid, said means for intermittently energizing the solenoid including a source of electrical energy, electrical switch means, electrical wiring joining the source of electrical energy with the solenoid and the switch means, mechanical means for actuating said electrical switch means, said mechanical means including a toothed rack arranged and constructed on said apparatus for sliding movement with respect to the apparatus, an arm pivotally mounted on said apparatus and connected to the reciprocating head of the punch press to impart arcuate swinging movement to the arm upon each reciprocal movement of the head, a pawl mounted on said arm and adapted to engage and move the toothed rack in regular increments, a first part of the switch means positioned in the path of the toothed rack in such a manner that the rack in its desired moved position acts to close the switch means and complete the circuit to the solenoid and thus energize the solenoid, a holdin-g pawl pivotally mounted on said apparatus, spring means normally urging said holding pawl into engagement with the toothed rack and arranged and constructed to regularly permit movement of the rack only in one direction, a second solenoid mounted on said apparatus and having a movable portion thereof connected to said holding pawl, a spring normally urging said toothed rack away from said switch means, and

i0 a second part of said switch means located close to the rst part of said switch means and arranged to be actuated by said toothed rack subsequent to the actuation of the rst part of said switch means, and circuit wiring arranged to include the source of electrical energy, the second part of said switch means, and the second solenoid, whereby actuation of the second part of the switch means completes the electrical circuit to and energizes the second solenoid to thus release the holding pawl and permit the toothed rack to be moved by the spring and resume its original position for the resumption of another cycle of operation.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which a third part of said switch means is located at the opposite end of the toothed rack from the first and second switch means parts, said third part of said switch means adapted to be opened by said toothed rack when the rack is in its starting position, and said last-named third part of the switch means is positioned in the circuit with the second solenoid whereby just as soon as the rack is returned to its starting position the electrical energy to the second solenoid is withdrawn permitting the holding pawl to reengage the toothed rack.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 in which the first and second switch means parts are mounted on a plate, and means for adjustably fastening said plate to said apparatus whereby the spacing between the special links in the finished chain may be conveniently controlled by shifting said solenoid holding plate toward or away from said toothed rack.

CLARENCE E. VANDENBERG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,556,528 Locke Oct. 6, 1925 1,556,538 Parker 1.-- Oct. 6, 1925 2,363,683 Mallina Nov. 28, 1944 2,436,714 De Moss Feb. 24, 1948 

